‘I’m sure she was right.’ Kate had a sudden desire to see the gardens that she had helped to rescue from the wilderness.

The view from the terrace was breath-taking now that Ted had pruned back the overgrown shrubs and bushes, and the sun was shining. The air was redolent with the scent of spring flowers and damp earth. A cool breeze ruffled Kate’s hair, but her mother was not there to tell her she must wear her bonnet in order to protect her complexion against the sun and she felt a wonderful sense of freedom.

She came across Morrison outside the walled garden and received such a warm greeting that she felt like hugging the old man, but she did not want to embarrass him. She smiled and listened attentively to his ideas for planting new rose bushes, standards and climbers. He beamed with delight when she told him to order what he thought they needed, with no thought to the cost. She adored roses and could not think of a better way to spend her money. She wandered on, admiring the cultivated beds with plants ready to burst into flower, and she ventured into the spinney at the bottom of the garden. It was carpeted with daffodils, and she could not resist picking a large bunch, even though they would last just a few days indoors. Their glorious scent made her feel drunk with delight as she made her way back to the terrace, where she came to a sudden halt at the sound of horse’s hoofs on the gravelled carriage sweep. Her heartbeat quickened and she stood very still. It seemed as though she had spent her whole life waiting for this moment.

Seconds later Harry rushed onto the terrace. He paused, gazing at her as if seeing her for the first time. Kate took a step towards him, and as she opened her arms a shower of daffodils cascaded onto the paving stones.

Harry crossed the terrace in long strides, taking her hands in his. ‘The sight of you in that blue dress, surrounded by a sea of golden daffodils will stay with me for as long as I live, Kate my darling. I want an artist to paint your portrait just as you are now.’

Her eyes filled with tears, but they were tears of sheer happiness. ‘I didn’t know you were such a romantic, Harry.’

‘There’s a lot we don’t know about each other, but it will be wonderful finding out.’ He took her in his arms. ‘I was worried about you staying in London on your own last night, but when I called this morning Mrs Marsh told me that you had sent for Goodfellow and had left without telling her where you were going. Why did you run away?’

‘I didn’t run away, Harry. I left a note.’

‘I didn’t get it.’

‘I’m sorry, Harry. I just wanted to come home.’